Find out the skinny on all the hot titles scheduled to be released during the remainder of 2008 that show why Microsoft’s machine is the console to own.
While not exclusive to the XBOX360, Grand Theft Auto IV will
feature XBOX360 exclusive episodic content that is expected to debut in the
fall. This series of content packs have been promised by GTA developer Rockstar
Games to be massive and add hours to gameplay.
Adding further to the sheer greatness of a next-gen GTA
title, is the new 16 person online multiplayer which will feature a laundry
list of modes, including vehicle racing and full city free roam.
The biggest question mark surrounding GTA IV is: Can it live
up to the unprecedented hype? The answer is yes…and that’s scary.
A long overdue follow-up to the 1992 title, this
action/survival-horror hybrid has players investigating the seedy happenings of
New York City’s Central Park, and doing so with some of the best physics gaming
has to offer. Virtually all of the countless items you find during the game can
be combined with others to make things like improvised bombs and makeshift
lighting in pitch dark areas. The insanely interactive environment is the
selling point of this title, allowing you to grab nearly everything in the
world and use it as a weapon.
The “a-ha” moment for me when scoping out this game was
while I was watching a tech demo and saw the player go into a dank sewer
system, combine tape with a glow stick he’d found, throw it onto an enemy’s
back, pick up a chair, walk over to a fire, set the chair on fire, and use it
to kill the newly illuminated enemy…now THAT’s gaming at its finest folks.
Ah yes, Gears of War. If you own a 360, perhaps you’ve heard
of it. It’s the ultra-violent, ultra-awesome 3rd person shooter from
Cliffy B and the other great minds over at Epic Games. Well, it looks like
Marcus Fenix is set to go toe-to-toe with the Locust horde yet again. Little is
known about this title sans a sparse black and red teaser trailer shown at GDC‘08, but from what I can decipher, it looks like you will able to use your
chainsaw bayonet in far more disgustingly pleasant ways than ever before. The
original Gears is one of, if not the, most fun XBOX Live experiences the 360
has to offer, so expect a great expansion in that department. Can you say 16
person multiplayer? How about 4 player co-op? Well, I hope Cliffy B can say
them when this game drops in November.
In a gaming world that has occasional bouts with
sequel-itis, I had to put a totally original intellectual property on here in
the form of Alan Wake. This oft-delayed first party title, which will hopefully
make the 2008 release window, stars horror writer Alan Wake and uses light as
Alan’s “safety blanket,” if you will. The dark forces come out when there is no
light, but Alan can use whatever light sources he can find to damage these
enemies.
While this title will have no multiplayer of any kind to
speak of, I trust that developer Remedy Entertainment can make up for this by
releasing a focused single player campaign that is story driven and fun to
play, just as they did with the Max Payne series.
There you have it folks, just four of the numerous reasons why
I can say without a doubt: If you play video games, you need to own an XBOX360.
Nicely done yet again Mike. I have to agree I'm excited for GTA4 and the new online addon. It's something attempted by modders but wasn't very stable at the time. Even though there is that much hype over this game I feel as though Rockstar can surpass the expectations give. I also feel that Alan Wake will take the stand as well with a ground breaking story much like you said they did with Max Payne. Even if it was done with comic book scenery it was still a story to follow and enjoy with twists and turns all over the place. That is why I'm also excited for Alan Wake as well.
